From the moment our first parents were deceived by the serpent, we have been striving. “You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground,” God told them (Genesis 3:19). And so we toil—whether sitting at a desk or plowing the land, studying for classes or scouring job listings, growing children or crops or companies. The work is not easy and, truth be told, it overtakes us. It is no surprise, then, that this is how we view the work of our salvation: as a matter of toiling and striving.

If achievement and acclaim are our chief end, effort is our primary means. That is the world’s gospel, but it is not the gospel of Jesus. The salvation offered by God in Jesus Christ does not follow the world’s rule of merit. All of Scripture is a story of God’s unearned love and unmerited faithfulness toward a rebellious people. It is an exodus story, where the primary job of the rescuee is to trust the Rescuer.

Isaiah 30:15 reads: “For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: ‘You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence.’” It’s a deep breath, this verse. A deliverance that comes from rest and quiet? What a dream.

But rest and quiet—much less returning to our holy God—do not come naturally to our Genesis 3 hearts. Our tendency is to run. The verse continues: “But you are not willing. You say, ‘No! We will escape on horses’—therefore you will escape!—and, ‘We will ride on fast horses’—but those who pursue you will be faster” (Isaiah 30:15-16).

We cannot outrun, outwit, or outwork our sin. No amount of effort or grit or good intention can deliver us from the world of death and dust. As hopeless as it may sound, this truth rings of freedom! We cannot deliver ourselves, but the One who can deliver us has come.

Lent is a long, slow season where we pause to remember who we are, who God is, and what Jesus has done. We are made from dust with love and intention, in the image of our Creator (Genesis 1:27). We have sinned and we are sinners, incapable of saving ourselves (Romans 6:23). Jesus Christ is the perfect expression of God’s eternal love and faithfulness, given to reconcile us to Himself (Colossians 1:19-20). We are invited to repent of our sin, return to our merciful and compassionate God, and rest in the freedom of His grace and forgiveness (Acts 3:19-20).

His love for us cannot be outdone or undone. Enter this season of repentance and remembrance with humility, willing to see and confess your sin. And enter with confidence, trusting in the completed work of Jesus Christ on your behalf. Don’t bother running away on fast horses or hiding behind your best efforts. Run to Him, and rest.

I know! I wish I acted more like Jesus, too. God is working on me, but I have a ways to go yet…ugh. I encourage you to get to know Jesus of the Bible. Look at how he interacts with people (especially women). He meets their deepest need and they are never the same again. Christians aren’t like Jesus yet. We all fail in different areas and I’m sorry that we’ve failed you. But you can help us. How? Get to know Jesus. Love him deeply. Then hang out with Christians so that we become jealous. :) Because what we Christians need is more love of Jesus.
Does this make sense?

God has just been led me here….starting late but right on time. I was looking for an online bible study during a time where I felt like I was being overrun by the cares of the world and of course experiencing great anxiety. I also was feeling guilty for the need to get quieted. As I read the devotional scripture and the words”rest and return”, a peace came over me. Looking forward to continuing with study. Thank you.

Late here too! 32 weeks pregnant and going through some terrible new physical symptoms that I’ve been trying to fight on my own. It’s drained me. This is such a perfect message; rest and return. I trust my God is strong enough to battle for me and to give me rest. Praying for peace of my mind and body.

I’m so grateful I found this. One of the girls I work with was talking about her new bible and when I searched for it I found this. I’ve been looking for a new bible study and am so ready for this new adventure

“Scouring job listings”? Talk about me and my husband. This hit the nail on the head. I have to remind myself that I find my firmest confidence and assurance in Christ’s unearned and unyielding love. Thankful for this message! God bless you, sisters. Praying a restful week for you all!

To rest in the Love of God! How beautiful is that? I’m behind on my Lenten Study book due to 2 major back surgeries at the end of January. I’m still supposed to take it easy which is not in my nature! But I’m feeling well enough with the help of pain medication to start this study. Even the first day is beautiful and I’m looking forward to the rest of the study.

I needed this message , and to return , rest and refresh myself within the Love of God. I’ve been going through my own toil having to wait for my job to start due to my clearances ,but not working in between . Going to Grad school, but not really focusing on the tasks. Things happen in life that seem complete left field , but if I hold on to God and his unwavering Love… I can do all things within Christ whom strengthens me. I enjoyed this reading, pray for me .

So my life has been turned upside down over the past year. And in the hardest year of my life, I have grown further from God – not on purpose but because I have put my focus on my career and my current situation… I am beyond thankful for the way this study has started. To return and rest in Him, that speaks volumes to my heart. I need our overcomer in my life but I am reminded of His good and faithful timing and purpose. ❤️

It’s beautiful and encouraging that sometimes God moves in our lives through resting and waiting. To me, “rest” means His Shalom and “wait” means trust. I think of Jesus as he would go away to the erémos, the quiet place, to be with God. Jesus found power and strength in the stillness with God to then begin and continue sharing his Good News that the Kingdom was near. Oftentimes, I don’t think about finding strength in stillness. God’s word is so refreshing!

A late starter here, I’m not really driven to give something up, instead to devote more time to this study and meditation. Thus by default, something unnecessary will dissappear from my schedule. Lord help me to be faithful and rest in you more.

I am overjoyed to have found this devotional. I am grateful that in this season where so many things are going on (school, new baby boy who is turning 1, and walking closer with Jehovah and Jesus Christ)that I don’t have to rely on my strength but the strength of he who has ordered my steps and sent his son to die on my behalf. Thank you.

I’m so grateful I stumbled onto this when I did. I’m woefully late to the Lenten season, but so grateful to read these words and see the community of women here. My heart is heavy – filled with stress over earthly problems made worse by my worry. My aching heart has been a call to realize I’m not filling my soul with faith as I so desperately need. Praying that the remainder of this season can be an opportunity to remember I’m not in control and it’s ok to let go and fully trust in Him.

SO MUCH GOODNESS IN THIS!! I am so excited for this study!! I feel like I need this on my wall as a constant reminder that joy is not found in striving but in resting in Him. In that “quiet confidence”.

Same Alexis. I feel like I’m always trying to clean my own heart, but I’m always failing miserably and I am. Because I can’t clean my heart, only the blood of Christ can do that. The stains will always come back when I try, but with Christ, they are clean.

I remember over 17 years ago God telling me to trust. I was praying about whether or not I could have a child. I heard him clear as day. I told him, “I trusted him.” But when I found out, I couldn’t have a child, I did not trust him. I became angry and upset and turned my back on him and walked away. But God is faithful and God is good. He let me go for a little while and then he brought me back home. Today, I find myself grieving the loss of my marriage. The message talked about the rescuee trusting the rescuer and how we will be delivered by rest and quiet confidence. I find myself resting in the Lord and having a quiet confidence in him. Thank you for leading me back to you and for delivering me. Amen.

I’ve been reading “Rhythms of Grace” by Kerri Weems. In the book she writes about Sabbath as God’s form of reminding us that we are free. We are no longer slaves. Rest is a gift, but as Amanda writes, it is so contrary to our form of thinking.

Repentance and rest = salvation, quietness and trust = strength. Such a powerful thought. How often I perceive repentance and rest as sloth and quietness and trust as timidity. It is so easy to take the world’s message and try and fit the Lord’s message into that – but they are such opposites. It doesn’t work. Thank you, Jesus, for rest and quietness and repentance and trust.

I love this so much. To know that what is at the core of our lives is to honor and embrace the love Christ has for us. And that no matter what, no matter how much I acquire in my life, Christ’s love for me is paramount. Such an important anchor in Lent and in life. Lay down compassion and know that your true belonging is in Christ

I’ve never done a Bible Study for Lent before, I’m excited to embark, reflect and learn. I love that we are meant to rest in Him, and this study is giving me a breath of fresh air to do just that, rest in Him.

I look forward to growing closer to God. That is all I desire & thirst for. More & more & more of God. Praying to become more Christlike, be transformed & spiritually mature through this plan. Let the journey begin!

Entering this season after a very heartbreaking breakup with no easy solution in my human mind how to heal. But I’m so grateful already for the reminder that I need to do is lay in Jesus arms and rest.

I am right there with you. There is no easy solution, but there is a Father who works all things for our good and his glory. He is the Healer, and his way is perfect. In him we find everything we need. My prayer for this season is that by his grace and mercy, I come to truly believe he is sufficient, trusting and pursuing him with everything I am, because there is nothing that the nearness of Christ cannot cure. I pray the same for you, sister; for peace, comfort, and the passage of truth from the head to the heart. May the Lord reveal himself and his heart to us in this season of pain. Hosea 2:14 “But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.” Amen.

Really trying to focus on God and run to him with all I have. Currently in a relationship where my partner re-dedicated his life to Christ along with me in June, but he sees nothing wrong with sex before marriage or us living together while I feel immense conviction about both and a desire to move out and allow God to work in me at full capacity. He’s very upset about it but I need the strength to do what I know I have to do to truly know God with all my heart.

Wow! Congrats on rededicating your life to Christ! That is such a huge step. I cannot say that I know what you must be going through but it must be so challenging to be torn between what you know is right and what your human heart desires. Praying that you will have the wisdom to know what is right and true and the strength to follow through no matter the cost.

You can trust God with your heart and that relationship. He won’t let you down. I’ve never known greater joy or peace than when I followed God’s conviction and made some hard choices. The freedom I experienced on the other side of obedience made it laughable that I ever considered myself to have made “sacrifices” to get there.

Dearest Sara,
Our first love must always be our God and our first calling must always be His will.
The result of this, as we’ve read above, will be rest and resting.
I encourage you, Sara, to choose not to run with this world’s way of doing things but run to God and follow His way. You will find His peace through obedience.

Hi Sara! Another Sarah here! I faced the same dilemma that you are facing now and when I dedicated my life to Christ last August. I had been with my fiance for a year and a half and we were very sexually active so when I made the choice to stop having sex and wait until we were married it was a difficult transition but THE BEST decision we have ever made. Our friendship has grown closer and our relationship with Christ has blossomed in a way I never thought possible growing up a catholic and thinking I always needed to earn my salvation and I would never be good enough to have a relationship with Christ. It has literally changed our lives for the better in so many and turning to God, trusting him, with your whole self and putting him first is the most beautiful gift you can ever give yourself. God has you, he always has you and when you choose him the whole world opens up in a way you can’t even dream. God will give you strength through this and it will allow you to become who he wants you to be and to take that time and spend it with him before you choose to become one with another. It was very difficult to sit down and have the conversation with my fiance and to continue to commit to it but it is the most beautiful transformative experience and if you are feeling called to do this then listen to God, he will never ever steer you wrong.

This Lenten season I chose to give up social media and on-demand media. Like Michelle. I had already started a full read through of the Bible to fill my time. Already, God is blessing me and humbling by reminding me how much I am like the Israelites in Exodus: so quick to forget who my deliverer is and who has provided me with every good thing. I continually find myself choosing the path of sin over the path of life.

So thankful for this season and that God is merciful and provides a way to Him through Jesus.

I don’t know that I’ve ever read that verse from Isaiah but I’m so glad I have now. Resting/being still/waiting is something I’ve always struggled with, for a long time even struggled with accepting that God actually tells us to do that. But that’s salvation returning to God and resting in Him. The being still and waiting is from a place of resting in Him.

I cannot outrun, outlive, outdo or hide from my sin. How often do I think that my sins are insignificant compared to others, but they still separate me from God. Thank you Lord for the mercy you have given us through Jesus. I must admit and confess that I am sinful, but Jesus has done the rest.

This is so good! So often I get caught up in feeling like I’m not doing enough or I’m not obeying God enough…basically I’m not being a good Christian. Yes, I need to be following and obeying Him, but I have to remember it doesn’t come from my strength, it comes from me RETURNING and RESTING in Christ’s strength and grace.

I was worried because it’s the end of the day and I’ve been so busy with work that I forgot to pick something to give up for Lent. Now I think my Lent focus is going to be spending time each morning returning to God in these devotions and prayer, and relying on His strength and power through the day.

Woah so I was just reading today’s verses and I only wrote down one verse that really stood out to me in my journal, and it turned out to be Isaiah 30:15! Definitely going to use this as a lock screen.

I just read an article about “secular lent” or lent of our age. The article stated that many people look to lent for an opportunity for self improvement. I never really thought about it but there is a difference about sacrificing something to better ourselves versus giving up something to focus on God. I found this so enlightening. I hope this helps someone else!

I just downloaded the SRT app for this Lent study!!! Already in love. I’m in a season of rest from ministry and hearing from the Lord, but I also feel convicted to give up social media for Lent. I’m ready to continue a life of repentance, and sanctification. I know that growth is not easy, but that is the Cry of my heart. However painful it might be, I pray the silence would show God’s greatness and his power. LET’S DO THIS!

I think my thought process has always been if I can just do things right Jesus will love me and accept me…my heart knows different its convincing my mind. Todays reading showed me I just need to come and trust and believe and allow the Lord to work in me.

“We cannot outrun, outwit, or outwork our sin. No amount of effort or grit or good intention can deliver us from the world of death and dust. As hopeless as it may sound, this truth rings of freedom! We cannot deliver ourselves, but the One who can deliver us has come.”

Wow. I was wondering how the Genesis passage connected to the others. And sadly I do tend to view salvation as a matter of toiling and striving, but we cannot deliver ourselves! We need God, and He waits patiently for us to realize this and call to Him. Thank you for this devotional this morning

I was just making some major decisions yesterday because I felt like they were coming from a place of striving. Wanting ‘rest’ but striving for it. My challenge is how to navigate letting go but continuing to believe in faith for what we want. I receive your rest Lord

I am overcome by the enormity of my debt and poverty and I am a desperate woman in need of a Deliverer and Rescuer and Redeemer this Lent. I want all of it, Jesus! Give me all that I can handle this season. Please God let my heart not still be in such utter despair over the brokenness of the Body by Easter. I need to see Your mercy with my own eyes this year, Lord.

I think the most important thing I have taken from this is the idea of rest! People give up such tangible things for lent, but I’m wondering what it would be like to give up being hard on myself and allow myself to love me the way Christ does. Thoughts?

Yes! Resting in His love, grace and mercy towards us. Resting in the finished work of the cross! Resting and trusting in Jesus Who began His work in me will be faithful to complete it. Why not give up trying to earn my salvation? Just to rest in His gift of grace to me. The same grace that justifies me is the same grace that sanctifies me. Thanks Olivia! I was thinking about what it is I should “fast” from? And now I’m simply going to fast from beating myself up to just finding myself at the feet of Jesus in gratitude for all HE has done.

Hi Marlene,
If you continue to the rest of the passage, God points out that even though He invites them to REST in His deliverance, they want to do things their own way – they think they need to deliver themselves or outrun their enemies. Similarly, we think we need to deliver ourselves from our sin, but WE CAN’T. God is inviting His people to STOP trying to do things themselves, and to realize their deliverance will ONLY come from resting in HIM, not by our own efforts. Does that help?

I have been prompted so much to give up worldly things (social media, television etc) in order to find rest. To slow down. To spend time enjoying the wonderful world God has created for us. Yet I sometimes still feel like there is a wall up keeping me from resting fully in the Lord. I know where I want to be with Him but I’m constantly so distracted. My heart is often feeling so unrested . What a blessing to find rest in the Lord alone.

I feel lost and need a sense of direction. Living in a foreign country with a language barrier makes it more challenging to feel a sense of connection since when I do go to mass I am not getting “THE Message”. But I know there is comfort, purpose and solitude in HIM.
No excuses, this is my shortcoming that I need to correct & RECONNECT.

The message of resting in quietness and trust ministered to me very deeply today. I was reminded of the song by All Sons & Daughters called “Rest in You,” which feels so fitting in the midst of this discussion.

Friends, what does resting in Him look like for you? I struggle with this because rest can be so hard to take! I love to be moving and doing, but I know that the Lord, because of his incredible love, demands rest of us. Perhaps hearing some if your resting patterns will give me some guidance in this area.

This was much needed today. I can feel Him speaking directly to me. My goal is to return and rest in Him. What a peace this brings me. I have been going through a lot, and this definitely showed me that I have been running too much. It’s time for me to stop running, rest, and return. It’s amazing how His love for me can’t be undone.

In light of the season of lent, when people seem to think they should give up coffee or chocolate or whatever, I find Colossians 2:20-23 interesting (I read a little further). If the Spirit is prompting someone to give up something in their lives, then YES, give it up. Let the Spirit cut away at your sinful nature and make you more like Christ. But keep your eyes on Christ and the blessings that come from being daily transformed into His likeness and not on your own accomplishment of giving up coffee for 6 weeks. There’s no salvation in that.

The older I get the more I see that “giving up something for Lent” is more of a spiritual thing as opposed to a deprivation. Giving up TV and spend those couple hours in reading the Word and praying would change anyone’s life for the better. It will change my priorities. I will still watch TV after Lent is over but will spend less time doing it and more time with God. Although God may want you to give up something else!

Thanks for this encouragement. If we give anything up, it should serve to remind us of all Christ sacrificed and to help free our hearts and minds to dwell on Him. It’s not about achieving, it’s not about the thing we are giving up. That’s a really helpful challenge as we head into this; thanks!

Thank you Lord for the truth of your Word! Thank you for your rescue plan that takes our obstinate hearts captive to your grace! Rest and peace is what we need! Going back and reading more of Isaiah ❤️

Isaiah 30:15 “your strength will lie in quiet confidence.” We need to stop running from our sin, turn back and trust God with our sins. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No one is perfect. When we repent, our slate is wiped clean, giving us the ability to once again write and illustrate our life. With regular penance, that skate stays clean. Without it, the murkiness begins to overshadow our life and today is no longer clear.

God gives us what we need when we need it. Thankful and blessed to begin this study with everyone.

I love the Isaiah verses, a prophecy that tells us the secret: return and rest, and also tells us what we & God will do: run and chase. Then pair with Acts and Colossians, and we see that when we received Christ, that the fullness of God himself is IN US! Look how many times the NT uses the words “in him”. We have so much life, love and power in Christ, the fullness of the kingdom of God right here, right now, as long as we remind ourselves who we are, rest in him and put off our flesh. Lord, may I rest in you minute by minute. May I let you fill every part of me, may I remember to let you. Amen.

Wow! Isaiah 30:15. So good. So much truth for my weary soul. I’ve been striving in my own strength to get deliverance from fear and anxiety, to manage it with my own striving. I also realized that in my own mind I did not equate that with being a sin. How foolish of me! How prideful. I need to return to God with a quiet and humble heart, because no striving or toiling will bring me peace.

I can relate to this Priscilla. I have done the same in trying to heal my own anxiety- to manage it through my own actions and trying to control things. Unfortunately, it led me down a road away from God because I started trying solutions commonly recommended today for healing anxiety- meditation, self-help, etc..

“If achievement and acclaim are our end…”. So thankful this is not the end for us! Praise God He’s given me more to live for. Needed to remember this! So thankful for a Jesus’s faithfulness to this “nobody”! He must become greater; I must become less.

“GOD, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me— The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:15 MSG

I love reading all different version of scripture because each one reveals something new. I loved the MSG version of Isaiah 30:15 from today’s reading. “Turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.” “Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me” Wow. Complete dependence on the Lord is where I will find my strength how amazing is that! Honestly so excited to start this Lent season!

“We cannot outrun, outwit, or outwork our sin” so poignant and hard to remember! This is my first SRT study, but I’m going to jump in! In the middle of a crazy busy season, I feel God tugging my heart to slow down and find rest in Him. This will take more focus and surrender than I have practiced in more time than I admit to myself ❤️

I am thinking all of the same things. That was a statement that stick out to me. And I also feel led at this season of my life to start my day in His word and His presence. I am looking forward to this study!

“We cannot outrun, outwit, or outwork our sin. No amount of effort or grit or good intention can deliver us from the world of death and dust. We cannot deliver ourselves, but the One who can deliver us has come.” Sooo good. So thankful for the rest and salvation that comes from Jesus.

So thankful for this group and this study! You all bless me with your eagerness to dive in and SEEK FIRST HIS kingdom, I get so distracted by my phone and social media and it robs me of real life, real relationship and real moments. Looking forward to a ” quiet ” season… resting in Him❤️

Our day so easily gets away from us and we are left at the end of the day tired and exhausted. Taking time now to read the importance of our God’s word reunites that light inside us. We have love and promise from Jesus. We just have to remember and stay faithful.

So I am a missionary and people assume that it means my life is always full of Christ. But honestly, it is not. Just because I am in ministry does not mean I am resting in God. I need this. I am so excited to be doing this study and remembering the truth. Resting in Christ, focusing on Him.

I am truly overjoyed at the fact that Jesus did not come for us to try harder and do our best but He came to be the Best for us. There is so much peace and joy that’s found in just resting in Him and quieting your soul before Him. This season of Lent will be truly amazing because it will all be spent with Jesus and only Jesus. Super grateful for this study!

I think God gave me the answer to what am I going to give up for Lent!! My iPad died a few days ago and i was going to rush (which is how I do everything) right out and get a new one, because i love it and spend hours on it!!!!! DUA!! NO I AM NOT GETTING ANOTHER ONE!!!

This my first study during Lent and through this app. I’m really looking forward to digging into the Word and having this awesome community to walk through this Lent season with. I’m praying I can feel refreshed and just reconnect with God and His Word during this season of my life, which has been a struggle these last few months.

I love this new app and the ability to start my days in Gods Word! What a blessing it is to have a community of women all over who are reading the same passages of scripture. My hope is to replace my morning social media time with this study!

“Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Praying over this verse today. I want my mind filled fully with heavenly thoughts & to be influenced completely by the Holy Spirit. This verse speaks directly to some fear I am experiencing in friendships. I want friendships that speak life & truth in to me, & to not be afraid of what others think. Only Jesus’ opinion matters.

Reading today’s scriptures and Amanda’s words above have me so excited to just release, rest, and lean into God’s word through this Lenten study. My soul finds relief and comfort in Isaiah 30:15 “You will be delivered by returning and resting, your strength will lie in quiet confidence.” And then I was left feeling completely convicted by Colossions 2:8, “Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on elements of the world, rather than Christ.” Why do I post on social media? Why do I foolishly spend money on new things? Why do we say yes to that extra drink, extra TV time, etc.? Why do we spend those extra hours in the office when we could be home with our family? Because the world tells us that’s what we should be doing to receive acceptance by our friends, coworkers, society! Too often I let myself be influenced by others around me rather than listening to my heart and to God. All that to say that I’m just excited to use the Exodus study as a tool to return and rest in God.

Isaiah 30:18 – I can’t get over how blessed we are to have such a just, patient and loving God, that even when we turn away from Him, he waits to show us His mercy and compassion. I’m so excited to wait on the Lord to see what He does through this study

That’s what I got from my husband too! It just came in the mail today, and it’s so beautiful and perfect that I’m afraid to use it! But I’m really looking forward to being in it daily and “roughing it up” with my notes, thoughts, and reflections!

Isn’t this what we all need? To rest and return, to rely and trust in the Lord? Because I know for certain that’s exactly what I need this Lent season! To stand firm on his good word and the promises he has for all of us.

“All of Scripture is a story of God’s unearned love and unmerited faithfulness toward a rebellious people. It is an exodus story, where the primary job of the rescuee is to trust the Rescuer.” So thankful for this truth.

I get a warm fuzzy feeling every time I read that God wants us to return to him and will forgive all our trespasses – even though we might fall short every single day (I will be the first to admit I fall short a lot). And the best part is, even when having faith and walking with Christ isn’t easy some days, God understands and still loves us. How awesome is that? That someone has enough patience to love you even when you’re struggling to keep your faith and/or even keep walking with him?

Thrilled to be using this study during this amazing season. The hard copy is so beautiful! I just love holding it in my hands and feeling the weight of its words. Looking forward to diving in the story of our history!

I LOVE those verses from Isaiah. I love how the MSG paraphrase puts vs. 15:
“God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
has this solemn counsel:
“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
Your strength will come from settling down
in complete dependence on me—
The very thing
you’ve been unwilling to do.”

Ugh how often do I try to save myself?! It’s like I think, “God is pretty busy, so I don’t want to bother Him with this… I’ll just do my part on my own” when my only part is to go to Him first. Wow! So Good.
I’m so expectant for this season of Lent. To turn away from the promises I’ve made into idols and focus on my Rescuer. Thank you, SRT!

Rest and quiet certainly doesn’t come easy for this Genesis 3 heart! and yes my tendency is to run!! I am looking forward to this lent season in hopes of finding rest as I focus on what Jesus Christ has done for me on the cross.

This is going to be my new morning ritual. My husband is scheduled for a back surgery and I am recently unemployed. I guess there is too much truth to that old saying that when it rains it pours. So, I’m giving it to God! He will carry us through this season of change in our lives.

Just what I needed at the exact time I needed it. Excited to do this every morning . I will be cutting out Diet Coke and I would also like to cut out complaining. I am going to truly focus for the next 21 days to focus on the positives in my life because I really do focus way too much On the negatives. I’m excited to see where the Lord takes me on this journey because I definitely need to rest in him right now.

Well, that was certainly strange but moving on, I think asking for the Lord’s help to stop complaining is an excellent idea. Most of us do it and it’s so second nature we don’t even realize it. I need to also quit taking my worries to the Cross then, in a day or so, going back and picking them up again. I need to work for more patience in waiting on God’s directions.

Such an easy sounding deliverance, return and rest. Yet we fight so to earn our justification. We struggle so to grasp the grace extended to us when the bible’s truth say return and rest in those times when we are stopped, physically or emotionally it is a concept that works, but when the “tyranny of the urgent”, the days that don’t have enough hours it is much harder to return AND rest, and somehow one without the other does not yield the same result,

God is good,I started reading Exodus last week and I saw on your Instagram that you are going through the same topics of provision and deliverance. I am excited to unpack this season, with God and just learn more about Him through this amazing devotional :)

God is good,I started reading Exodus last week and I saw on you Instagram that you are going through the same topics of provision and deliverance. I am excited to unpack this season with God and just learn more about Him this amazing devotional :)

These days, I’m overwhelmed. I’m stressed, my depression is back, and it feels like I’m being drained so that I can barely get through each day. I feel like I’m stuck in a rut and can’t find the energy to pull myself out of it. This devotional gives me hope that I don’t need energy to change: I need rest and stillness. I need to slow down so that I can face my sin and repent; I need to slow down so that I can see Christ clearly. I want to know God the way I used to, when I felt at ease in His presence rather than feeling like I have to strive to keep Him satisfied. I want to bring my focus back to the cross, where Christ’s sacrifice satisfied God so completely that I can enter His presence without fear.

I’ve never really observed Lent before (it’s not something my church does), but in the past several weeks I’ve been drawn to the intentionality of it. My soul is craving a season set apart to focus on Christ and His perfect solution for my sin. Because I’m new to Lent, however, I’m not really sure how to do it. Am I supposed to give up something concrete, like sugar or bread, or can it be a more abstract change, like reading my Bible and praying before bed instead of reading a novel or watching a show? I don’t want to use Lent as an excuse to do something I’m already supposed to be doing, like eat right; I want it to be focused on seeking Jesus, but I’m not really sure how to do that. Can anyone give me some advice about how to approach this?

Amy, I’m in the same boat! I loved reading what you wrote and totally relate to both parts. Praying that God blesses this lent season for both of us with that ‘refreshment’ spoke of in Isaiah and new eyes to see His work on the cross.

Hi Amy! I can absolutely relate. I am right there with you, friend. My advice for what you should give up for Lent would be to pray and ask God to show you something that stands in the way of your relationship with Him, and then give that up. That could be something different for you, than for someone else, so don’t feel like there are any “rules” to what you give up. It could be that there is something that you need to add instead of give up! I encourage you to trust the Holy Spirit to lead you in your decision. Please know that I will be taking my same advice, as I am struggling right along side of you.

For the last two years, I felt like i was rock climbing with a heavy backpack on (and someone was throwing rocks at me from the top)! I felt i had no choice but to stay strong and put one foot in front of the other. Then three months ago, I started having panic attacks at work. God metaphorically carried me the rest of the way up the mountain and set me beside still waters.

AND YET I still struggle to truly rest and trust. I’m confessing that today and want to lead a life known by rest and peace amidst challenge – what a witness for Him!

Reading this helped to confirm what I am doing for Lent. I’ve had it on my heart to take the time wasters away from my phone (social media, games, etc) so I will spend more time in God’s word, with loved ones, and following Isaiah 30:15. So I can spend Lent in worship and following and discovering God more and less waisting my time on my devices.

That’s exactly what my plan is! I’m hopeful that I will spend that time that I would normally spend scrolling in prayer, reading my Bible, reading a Christian book, or even just in relationship with others. (I’m also hopeful that even after Lent, I’ll be more likely to stay off social media for the most part, since I won’t be used to constantly scrolling.

I have used the SRT app since conception. Donated to fund it but the new app just doesn’t work. I realized in the last couple of weeks that to see comments from long time readers like Tina, Churchmouse, etc. I had to come to the website. This alone as an issue but now copying to your notes section on the app doesn’t work either. I love SRT so much and have grown in spending time in the Word. Is anyone else having an app issue? I use an iPad and an iPhone. I am excited for this new Lenten study. This is my favorite most reverent season.

Hi Claire, we’re so sorry you’re having trouble with the app. All of these are features currently noted to be corrected in future updates by our developers. Please stay tuned as we work hard to make the best possible app experience for you, our community! We’re grateful for your patience and are so glad you’ll be reading along with us through the Lent study. -Margot, The SRT Team

Thanks Margo, I am so happy they are being addressed. I really love using the app because the scripture is right there before you read, already pulled up. Then when something one of the writers makes a point that you want to remember in the past you could highlight and save to notes. #SRT❤️

First off, THANK YOU SRT for one BEAUTIFUL study guide…..WOW!! The entire team absolutely outdid themselves. I especially love your notes in the beginning about how we are created to create and that God values beauty and quality. I have a deep yearning to create and have an essential part of me that sees beauty in things and wants to capture it….to be immersed in it. I thank God for the gifts of beauty He so generously has given us…..from flowers to sunsets and everything in between (and even my mug that makes me smile this morning)….they didn’t have to be beautiful, but I sure do appreciate them….

Returning to Him and resting…..that has been my theme for the past 9+ months. I have been in a season that has everything flipped upside down. I have gone from running marathons, working full time as a school nurse, teaching cross training classes and leading a super active life with my family to essentially homebound (this part has now improved a bit) and quite sedentary. I have had complications from an injury to my foot and subsequent surgery that has limited my mobility due to nerve and circulation issues. Yes, there have been a few days where I have felt the weight of it all….but those were the days I stepped away from Him. He says to return to Him and rest…..well, I’ve certainly been doing A LOT of that these past 9 months….and also learning how to allow OTHERS to help me, to accept help, to realized it’s not all up to me….I used to be a “do-er”, an overly independent, thrive on getting 50 million things done a day….. it has been an interesting change for our family. Praise God that He has been here supporting us thru it all…..but that REST??? It is REAL. When forced to STOP. To quit running (literally and figuratively :) …..to RETURN….it has allowed me to REST…..to rest in His presence….His promise…..allowing Him to lead me and guide me…..

Hi Heather, thank you for the sweet encouragement! It always means so much to us. Praying for complete healing of your foot and for continued encouragement during this season. We’re grateful you’re a part of our SRT community. – Margot, The SRT Team

“We cannot outrun, outwit or outwork our sin.” This struck me this morning as I strive to love Him more each day. Returning to Him and resting in Him this season to remind myself that Jesus completed the work of my salvation. He said,”It is finished!” Let us believe!

I’m reading along in the physical study, and my oh my! Amanda, I’m so excited to read Exodus with you! Day 1 is already so good! I especially love Psalm 78 – it’s what I’m praying over my family to begin a new legacy of following the Lord together.

This past week or so, I’ve just been exhausted, physically AND mentally. In the winter I tend to slip into a state of depression and anxiety, and some days it feels like the world is asking a lot of me. How incredibly nourishing it was to read this on a Monday morning. Deliverance through rest. A reminder from God to use this season to reflect and slow down.

Courtney, I struggle with depression as well. I completely identify with your feeling that the world is asking a lot of you—I have felt so overwhelmed lately that sometimes I wish I could just crawl under the covers and stay there for a month or two. I definitely needed this reminder: that God calls me to rest, that He saves me without any effort of mine. I am without strength, but Christ died for me. I pray that both of us will use this season to rest in Him and that we will come out of it knowing Him better!

How beautiful is it that our repentance and humility lead to rest in Jesus. His word doesn’t say that repentance leads to shame, it’s quite the opposite, it gives us rest. We will toil in this life, but our safe place, our restful sanctuary is in HIM! Jesus has flipped our ideals upside down and truly brought us life abundant in His name. How cool. Praise the Lord! 2 Samuel 17:28 And now, O LORD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.’ Amen!

How lovely the thought is to run toward Jesus, into his arms and rest. I was reminded again today how God holds us fast, in his hands. He knows what is going to happen…and all we must do is trust him! Amen!!

Do any of you lovely ladies have a good REPENTANCE GUIDE?! I find my mind gets so distracted when I pray and I love when I have questions to ask myself when I intentionally take time to reflect for the purpose of DEEP repentance. (I’m not a very structured, robotic person typically but, DO feel I need this.)

Try writing out your prayers. This helps to clear your mind and focus. Remember prayer is just a conversation with God. Just talk to him like you would a friend with complete honesty. You can trust EVERYTHING to Him.

I am reminded of my tendency to think I can fix everything that falls apart in my life on my own; that somehow I’ll know exactly what to do or how to avoid certain conflicts with my enemies. However, this route, as the Word says, always leaves me alone and in an even bigger mess. This scripture reminds me to rest in Him. He’s already got me! By diligently remaining in His Word and in His presence, there is no other outcome but to come out victorious. Oh how I love Jesus!

The picture that came to my mind as I read this was a drowning person who fights the rescuer. We learned in lifeguard training to turn the person around so that you are behind them and can hold their arms to keep them from flailing and drowning you both. I see repentance as turning around, putting your back to the sin and going in a different direction. Resting in the arms of your rescuer is the only way to be saved. You can’t save yourself by fighting harder.

It isn’t my tendency to ask for help or receive it graciously. I am way more likely to try and give the impression that I’ve got this and don’t need help. Today I’m sick and having to spend the day in bed. Everything in me wants to get up and do, but I’m forced to stay in bed and let my husband care for me. It is a good start to the Lenten season of being quiet, resting and letting others help me.

I like how Amanda said that Lent is a long, slow season where we pause to remember who we are, who God is and what Jesus has done. May it begin today.

I’ve decided to not just give up social media but my phone. I spend too much time on it in general. No need to check emails when I am not at work or to browse sites as a time waster. It is time to dive deep into His Word and to explore it with my family. I look forward to the rest and challenge of it all.

In case of emergency only. I am with you! I am not that important that I need to check my email, Instagram, FB, etc. all the time. I tell my kids , “back in the day, it was one phone on the wall and we survived. ” Much more important things to do to build up His Kingdom!

I am so grateful for this! We can never preach the Gospel to ourselves too many times. Today I’m especially encouraged that when we humble ourselves to see our sin, we then can have confidence in God. Sometimes I allow shame from recognizing my sin to keep me from confidence and rest in Jesus… how reassuring that we do have confidence… in the work of the Cross!

I bought the paper version of the Lenten study. But in it it doesn’t have the devotionals those are in the app. But it cost 299 in the app to get the devotionals, but it looks like through the website the devotional is free each day? Or is what is on the app different? Just wondering if any of you ladies know! ☺

Study book has the Scriptures and a lot of extras but not the devotions. The mobile app and the website have the Scriptures and the devotions. I use the study book because I’m a paper and pen person and I use the mobile app for the convenience of the devotions. I don’t mind paying for any of it because it supports SRT which in turn blesses so many.

I receive their email for free every day. I used to use the app. I can read it off of the email or click on it and read it in a browser. That also allows me to tap on the Bible verses and read them if I happen to be away from my Bible.

No, they should still be coming! You might try checking your spam folder in case it’s decided to weed them out. Or try unsubscribing & resubscribing. If you’re still having problems, email us at [email protected]. xo

Since the new updates to the app I regularly have trouble getting my studies to open. They often just won’t load :-( I wrote to SRT for help but didn’t really get any answers. I finally deleted the app and restored it, seems to have helped a little.

Michelle, I think the devotionals on the website and the app are the same. From looking into it in the past, I think the difference is that you can’t access past days in the website and you can access all days in the app. The app is handy if you miss a day and I sometimes like to revisit the comments.

Some days I’m walking pretty wobbly. Wobbly and weary. I’m ready to enter the rest that comes with the season of Lent. For me it will be a season of contemplation and sacrifice. So I will daily contemplate the Scriptures selected by SRT and I will sacrifice from social media. I will take a break to make more time for Him. I’ll remove the time thieves so that I can steal away into His presence longer and know Him more deeply. I’m counting on the joy of the Lord to be my strength to persevere through Easter. Or longer… I’ll ask Him. Removing my social media accounts now…

Resting is so hard for me. I want to receive love by doing, by works, by being worthy. But God doesn’t want that from me. God wants me to pause, to rest in my strife, to accept His love and forgiveness through Jesus. God’s salvation is simple, while the world is hard. God’s love is forever and steadfast while the world’s love is fleeting. During this Lent season, my job is only to rest. To believe, to trust, to rest in God’s love.

How amazing is His love for us! There is nothing or no one that can make Him stop! During this time, I’m returning to my first love and allowing Him to give me rest! I’m still so amazed at the grace and forgiveness He gives me everyday and I can rest knowing that He loves me inspite of anything I can say or do!

Beautiful. I totally got stuck on two thoughts. “In quietness and trust shall be your strength,” and “that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Such great words to mull over today. Don’t we all need some refreshing right now? I have never participated in lent even though I understood it and wasn’t against it. I guess I just never wanted to set an expectation. I saw it as just another thing I could try to do to be a better Christian but fail at. These verses just might be the key to what I need to do this season.

I am giving up social media and my busy schedule. ..I have decided to learn to love the word “No”, this season and spend time resting in God’s presence and with my daughter. I noticed I am always available for a phone chat with a friend just to hear them talk about Nothing or vent, running errands for others which leaves me with less time for myself/household, serving/volunterring at every event because others will not step up to help meet the need. I’ve been one people pleasing, neglectful (my household), individual who has also placed God on the back end with my actions, while calling Him first with my mouth. Yes, I am here physically tired, mentally stressed, emotionally worn out and my soul is tired and crying out because of the inflictions and the rest needed to revive in Christ Jesus alone. Lent, here we come.

I also plan to give up social media. I’ve had “mini fasts” from social media before, but never anything this long. It’s such a time waster. I want to be able to get ready quicker in the morning (because I’m not mindlessly browsing social media) so that I have more time to devote to the Word and prayer in the morning. In the afternoon, I want to spend that time with my family or doing things around my home that I’ve neglected.

Last year I gave up facebook (dont use much other social media) and found it so refreshing. I had to remember that it wasn’t just giving up something but replacing that with time spent with Jesus. I am good a setting aside the time but find my mind so often wanders in my quiet time that I lose focus quickly. I love these readings to help with that focus!

My church is doing 21 days of prayer and fasting (started 2/5/18). I’ve chosen to fast from the TV apps on my ipad (no TV unless it’s on a real television and someone else turned it on). I may extend it past 21 days and do it for all if Lent. I’m really missing some of my shows right now. Ha!

after reading your comment and the others I think I am going to give up my games I play every night on my iPad and limit myself to 1 hour of TV at night only because I work 2pm to 10pm and that is how I unwind at night

I have never celebrated, never given anything up for Lent, I’ve never belonged to a church that did this. Since studying with SRT, I’ve learned so much, and decided I wanted to participate in this Lenten ritual – hoping that is the correct term. I thought of so many things I could give up, coffee, TV, Instagram, the list went on, but they all seemed small somehow. A devotional from John Eldredge showed up in my mailbox about this very subject, suggesting I ask God what to fast. So I did. And my answer came clear as a bell – Fear. It’s perfect as I am fearful, I have been for as long as I can remember. I’m giving up fear, I’m going to be brave and trust in God in all things, for if he is for me, who can be against me.

I began yesterday when I was faced with a situation that always puts me on edge. I said a quick prayer, and faced it head on! It went so smoothly, I was left wondering why I had been so afraid and nervous!

that is very inspirational but please don’t forget to listen to God and do as he says I lost my oldest son because his father told him to fear nothing – he ended up drowning in a creek that was way out of its banks I believe he wasn’t listening to God. He believed in God and Christ and he wanted to become a minister.

I had always understood that the purpose of giving something up for Lent was to redirect the money spent on that luxury to the church instead. I plan to give up Starbucks, and since I spend quite a lot of money there, I should have a nice donation at the end of the 40 days.

I’m giving up buying things impulsively on Amazon to teach myself moderation and patience. Also want to give up gossiping because I don’t believe it is helpful and not consistent with how I want to live. Never celebrated Lent before and new to the Bible so we’ll see how it goes!

I’m giving up social media, more specifically Twitter and Instagram. I still need to access FB for events, but I’m restricting myself to certain times in the day for FB. And only on my iPad or computer and not on my phone.

My intention is to decrease my usage of social media period and not just over the Lenten period so I can focus more on spending time with God and on my offline life.

I’m giving up Netflix. I run to that in order to avoid pain. I feel God inviting me to learn how to rest with Him in the midst of pain, instead of trying to stuff it. Letting go of Netflix will force me away from distraction and into God’s arms. … Prayers for everyone!

I’m so excited for this reading plan! Last year I started this during Lent, planning to replace my facebook ritual in the morning with a bible-reading ritual. Since then, I have followed quite a few plans.

I think repentance is a vital part of Christian life, yet I don’t often “do” it. I am not too sure how to. May this plan help me to focus on repentance. 40 days should be a good amount of time to “get some of it done”, shouldn’t it? (I know, this way of saying it is so not in line with today’s devotional. It just shows how much there is to learn for me the next few weeks ;)